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Cards have history with Red Sox, Tigers

Cards have history with Red Sox, Tigers

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Cardinals win 2006 World Series 0:18

The Cardinals defeat the Tigers in five games to become the 2006 World Series Champions

By Steve Gilbert
/
MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- Now that they've wrapped up their 19th National League pennant, the Cardinals can start preparing for the 109th World Series. Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Tigers continue to fight in the American League Championship Series for the right to take on the Redbirds in the Fall Classic, which will begin Wednesday night in the AL city (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX).

Regardless of which opponent earns that right, it will not be the first time St. Louis has faced Boston or Detroit in the World Series. Or the second. Or the third.

When you have a postseason history like the Cardinals, it stands to reason that you will have faced a variety of teams, but it seems incredible that the Cards have faced the Tigers and Red Sox three times each in the Fall Classic. St. Louis is 2-1 in World Series matchups with each team.

The Cardinals did not face either team this year in Interleague Play.

Here's a look at how St. Louis fared against Boston and Detroit in the World Series:

1934: Cardinals over Tigers, 4-3
Dizzy and Paul Dean combined to start five of the seven games, and each won two of their starts.

The Tigers led the series, 3-2, before the Cards tied things up with a 4-3 win in Game 6. But there was little suspense in Game 7, as St. Louis won, 11-0.

1946: Cardinals over Red Sox, 4-3
Once again, the Cards were down, 3-2, before winning the final two games of the series in St. Louis.

Harry Brecheen appeared in three games for the Redbirds (two as a starter) and won all three, including Game 7, which he entered in the eighth.

Harry "The Hat" Walker hit .412 and drove in six runs during the series for the Cardinals, while Enos Slaughter hit .320.

1967: Cardinals over Red Sox, 4-3
St. Louis ended Boston's impossible dream, as they took a 3-1 series lead before holding on in seven.

Bob Gibson was the series' Most Valuable Player, as he had three complete-games victories, including one in Game 7.

Outfielder Lou Brock hit .414 for the Cards during the series, with Roger Maris chipping in a .385 average to go along with seven RBIs.

1968: Tigers over Cardinals, 4-3
The Cards jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the series and seemed on their way to a second straight championship before the Tigers rallied.

Gibson and series MVP Mickey Lolich each tossed three complete games, and they faced each other in Game 7, which Lolich won, 4-1.

2004: Red Sox over Cardinals, 4-0
The Sox extracted a measure of revenge by sweeping the Cards as they ended the "Curse of the Bambino" and captured their first championship since 1918.

Larry Walker led St. Louis' hitting attack in the series, as he smacked two home runs and hit .357. Meanwhile, in his first World Series appearance, Albert Pujols hit .333.

2006: Cardinals over Tigers, 4-1
The Cards were led by shortstop David Eckstein, who captured MVP honors by hitting .364 after starting the series 0-for-11.

Current St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina hit .412 in the series, while rookie Adam Wainwright filled in at closer and finished off three games, including the clincher.